AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, Titans

Colts

• Colts HC Frank Reich said that second-year RB Jonathan Taylor has “earned the right” to be their No. 1 running back: “He really established himself. [He] earned the right to be the main guy.” (Zak Keefer)
• As for the Colts’ goals in 2021, Keefer writes that Indianapolis’ primary focus starts with winning the AFC South. 
• Although Keefer is reluctant to call Colts WR Michael Pittman their No. 1 receiver ahead of T.Y. Hilton, he notes that Indianapolis typically takes a by-committee approach to their receivers group. 
• Keefer believes Reich wants to “spread the ball around” given the Colts don’t have a true No. 1 receiver. 

Jaguars

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says that the Jaguars haven’t found a “sweet spot”  for the contract of first overall QB Trevor Lawrence with the main factor being offset language in the third and fourth years of the deal, which could come into play if Lawrence were to be injured.

“Lawrence’s contract is not done, it’s probably a bit of a standoff because with these rookie deals it’s about offset language in those third and fourth years,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “If somebody gets injured, then the offset language can play a part. I’m told Jacksonville hasn’t found a sweet spot yet. They haven’t relented on wanting the offset language in the deal. So that could mean that this takes a little bit of time for them to come to an agreement. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick behind him with the Jets, he’s waiting as well. So, those dominoes will fall into place, but it could just be closer to training camp.”

Titans

Paul Kuharsky thinks that the Titans have done well at finding inexpensive defensive line depth, such as DT Teair Tart who went undrafted in 2020 and ended up appearing in seven games for the Titans.

Entering his third year as DL coach in Tennessee, Terrell Williams offered up some praise for Tart.

“With Tart, he wouldn’t be here if we didn’t see the talent in the guy,” Williams said. “Really the biggest thing for me is seeing him continue to develop from the strength standpoint, from a learning standpoint. He’s another guy that I am really excited about to see what he does in training camp. He’s had really a good off-season program. When he did get in there a year ago I thought he did some really good things. So, I am really excited about him.”